Vocabulary Tests [ 38 ] - Test Thirty Eight

Vocabulary Tests

Test Thirty Eight

1- ] Read the sentences or short passages below . Write the letter for the correct definition of the underlined vocabulary word . Write the letter for your choice on the answer line .

In  the quiet of the summer evening , we enjoyed the dulcet tones of the church choir as it practiced several hymns .

1 . ( A ) harsh and grating ( B ) sweet and melodious

( C ) distressing ( D ) unwelcome                                               1 . -----------------

The story of a man who sells his soul to the devil for worldly gain is a common motif in the literature of many nations . In American literature , it occurs in Washington Irving’s “The Devil and Tom Walker” . In German literature , it is found in Goethe’s Faust .

2 . ( A ) song ( B ) surprise ending

( C ) historical event ( D ) recurring idea or theme .                 2 .------------------

The realistic landscapes and portraits exhibited in the art museum stood in sharp contrast to the abstract paintings being sold on the street corner . Looking at those blobs of paint and geometric figures , I was tempted to ask the artist , “What is it?”

3 . ( A ) not tied to anything practical or concrete ( B ) meaningful

( C ) literal ( D ) easily understood                                               3 . -------------------

Members of the avant-garde in any field always run the risk of being ridiculed or ignored . Not many years ago , Paul Gauguin’s colorful paintings of Polynesian scenes were thought to be shocking and repulsive . Now , he is considered one of the most important influences on modern art .

4 . ( A ) experts ( B ) immoral influences

( C ) people who try out new ideas ( D ) scholars                         4 . ---------------------

The choir preferred to sing the selections a cappella . The singers felt that the addition of instruments would overwhelm their subtle vocal sounds .

5 . ( A ) electronically enhanced ( B ) without instrumental accompaniment

( C ) in a slow , serious manner ( D ) with little rehearsal             5 . ---------------------

Before orchestra practice begins , each musician tunes his or her instrument by playing a random series of notes . The result is a cacophony of horns , drums , and stringed instruments that makes you want to cover your ears .

6 . ( A ) melodious blend ( B ) sudden , quiet pause

( C ) musical composition ( D ) harsh , jarring sound                     6 .--------------------

The director began the meeting by giving a copy of the libretto to each member of the cast . The performers would spend days studying every element of this complex opera before attempting to rehearse it onstage .

7 . ( A ) text of a dramatic musical work ( B ) seating chart for a theater

( C ) list of complaints ( D ) rules for behavior                                  7 . --------------------

With its clever use of glass and steel , the office building was an aesthetic masterpiece . Unfortunately , however , there was little available parking space and no public transportation . Without these more practical requirements , the building would never be used to its capacity .

8 . ( A ) frequently imitated ( B ) artistic

( C ) profitable ( D ) inexpensive                                                       8 . ------------------

Melting clocks , fantastic animals , nightmarish phantoms , and similar surrealistic images are found in the works of several modern artists .

9 . ( A ) illogical , dreamlike ( B ) humorous

( C ) highly detailed ( D ) pleasingly colorful                                   9 . ------------------

The conductor of the orchestra possessed an exceptionally keen ear . She could detect the slightest dissonance and identify the musician responsible for the problem

10 . ( A ) lack of attention ( B ) misbehavior

( C ) lack of harmony ( D ) improved performance                        10.-----------------

Answer Key

1 B 2. D 3 . A 4 . C 5 . B 6 . D 7 . A 8. B 9 . A 10 . C

2- ] Each question below includes a word in capital letters , followed by five words or phrases . Choose the word or phrase that is nearly opposite in meaning to the word in capital letters. Write the letter for your answer on the line provided .

1 . IRREVOCABLE ( A ) simple  ( B ) revisable

( C ) unchangeable ( D ) serious                                                     1 . ------------------

2 .ABSTRACT ( A ) concrete ( B ) invisible

( C ) combined ( D ) absent-minded                                               2 . ------------------

3 . INNATE ( A ) imprisoned ( B ) knowledgeable

( C ) acquired ( D ) joyful                                                                 3 . -----------------

4 . SUBTLE ( A )  superior ( B ) obvious

( C ) unknown ( D ) bland                                                                4 . -----------------

5 . AVANT-GARDE ( A ) guardian ( B ) harsh noises

( C ) threatening gesture ( D ) conservatives                                  5 . -----------------

6 . CRUCIAL ( A ) unplanned ( B ) temporary

( C ) unimportant ( D ) desirable                                                     6 . ----------------  

7 . EQUIVOCATE ( A ) penalize ( B ) remove

( C ) resolve ( D ) destroy                                                                   7 . ----------------- 

8 . DULCET ( A ) brilliant ( B ) admired

( C ) angry ( D ) grating                                                                      8 . -----------------

9 . DYNAMIC ( A ) changeless ( B ) mechanical

( C ) unnecessary ( D ) frequent                                                         9 . ----------------

10 . AVOCATION ( A ) pleasure trip ( B ) reversal

( C ) solemn promise ( D ) unpleasant chore                                     10 . --------------

11 . VOUCH ( A ) promise  ( B ) harm

( C ) dismiss ( D ) deny                                                                         11 . ---------------

12 . CACOPHONY ( A ) harmonious sound  ( B ) complex musical composition

( C ) poor imitation ( D ) artistic success                                             12 . ----------------

13 . HERESY ( A ) foolish remark ( B ) accepted belief

( C )  convincing argument ( D ) unpopular idea                                 13 . ------------------

14 . CLAMOROUS  ( A ) lovable  ( B ) confusing

( C ) peaceful ( D ) unclaimed                                                                 14 . -------------------

15 .  DISSONANCE ( A )  melodious sounds ( B ) source of support

( C ) legal acceptance ( D ) careful plan                                                  15 .

Answer Key

1 . B 2 . A 3 . C 4 . B 5 . D 6 . C 7 . C 8 . D 9 .A 10 . D 11 . D 12 . A 13 . B 14 . C 15 . A

3 - ] Match the definition in Column B with the word in Column A . Write the letter for your choice on the answer line .

   Column A                   Column B

1 . orient              a . without instrumental accompaniment      1 . ------------------

2 . motif               b . to position or place                                      2 . ----------------

3 . declaim           c . speak loudly and forcefully                         3 . ---------------

4 . proclamation  d . dreamlike                                                      4 . ----------------

5 . pidgin              e . able to call forth                                            5 . ----------------

6 . proclivity         f . repeated theme                                              6 . ----------------

7 . a cappella        g . official announcement                                  7 . ----------------

8 . evocative          h . expert on languages                                     8 . ---------------

9 . surrealistic       i . mixture of languages                                    9 . ---------------

10. linguist            j . tendency                                                        10 . ---------------

Answer Key

1 . b 2. f 3 . c 4 . g 5 . i 6 . j 7 . a 8 . e 9 . d 10 . h